George Davies, the founder of the first supermarket clothing range, George at Asda, is retiring from Marks & Spencer, where he set up the Per Una label. The part-time chairman of Per Una will step down at the end of December. Andrew Skinner has been appointed trading director for Per Una, reporting to Kate Bostock.

Roger Evans has been appointed chair of the UK Dairy Farmers' Forum. Evans is a former chair of First Milk and its representative for Shropshire, Montgomeryshire and Worcestershire, as well as being an elected director of the co-operative. His appointment follows the resignation of Gwyn Jones from the Dairy UK Board and Farmers' Forum chairmanship in September. Rex Ward, a dairy farmer from Cornwall, was elected vice chairman.

Yorkshire-based fine food retailer Lewis & Cooper has appointed Linda Walters to the newly created role of sales development manager to head up its new wholesale range. She previously worked at Lloyds Bank for 18 years.

Julian Coles has been named CEO of Tamworth Co-operative Society. Coles, who replaces current CEO Richard Hughes in January, has been deputy CEO since July 1997.

Former Defra minister Lord Rooker has been named president elect of the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers. He formally begins his duties at the association's agm in June 2009, when he replaces Baroness Hazel Byford.

Peter Beattie has joined QMS, the Scottish red meat promotion and development body, as technical projects manager and will take responsibility for driving forward Scotland's Monitor Farm programme. He formerly worked at Scottish Natural Heritage.

Select & Save has appointed Hayley Osborne to the newly created position of trade and marketing manager. She has 16 years of experience in a similar role at Key Lekkerland.

The British Institute of Innkeepers has appointed Neil Robertson as its new chief executive. He replaces John McNamara, who leaves in January to become chief executive of the Alliance of Sector Skills Council.